That World Book Day meme

[callmemadam]

From glitterboy and others

The book I am reading: Mariana by Monica Dickens, my second attempt. Re-reading Cranford on the Kindle in bed.
The book I love most: Middlemarch
The last book I received as a gift: Lily Alone, Jacqueline Wilson, last month.
The last book I gave as a gift: shamefully can’t remember.
The nearest book: on my desk, The NCC Book List of Children’s Series Fiction

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

I have Mariana and love the cover, but somehow the book is daunting to me. I don't know why. The New Yorker recently had an article on George Eliot. If you haven't seen it, don't have access to it, and would like it, I'd love to send it off to you.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

The main character is not very interesting but the social stuff is. Not what you'd call a gripping read though. If you haven't read any Monica Dickens, One Pair of Feet is good, about her experiences as a nurse during the war.
Thanks so much for the New Yorker offer. I've just found I can read it online. The wonders of the net.

[land-girl.livejournal.com]

You too? I spent suppertime trying to convince my dad the English graduate to give Middlemarch another go ..

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

It's a book I know I can go and hide inside. Very useful at times.

[(Anonymous)]

I also felt very lukewarm about Mariana, too women's magazine-y for me.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I'm persevering but am not greatly impressed.

[(Anonymous)]

I must admit, I really enjoyed Marianne, which I read last year.

It took me a few attempts to get into Middlemarch, which John kept telling me I should read, but I'm so glad I eventually did. I think it's time for a re-read now!

On the Book Show this week, one of the writers recommended Middlemarch as the book all young people should have read by the age of 21. In fact, he said it was 'the best book in the world'! :)

Penny (Scottish Vegan Homemaker)

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I agree with that view of Middlemarch and yes, I did read it before I was twenty one!

[ramblingfancy.livejournal.com]

Ah I love both Mariana and Cranford! Not such a big fan of Middlemarch though agree it's a great classic. It's Dorothea who drives me batty!

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

Mariana was quite boring for me, unlike the other two.

[barbara-wordswordswords.blogspot.com (from livejournal.com)]

I love Middlemarch now, when I first tried to read it for my BA it took me six months and I kept forgetting who everybody was, then I cheated and watched the BBC video which got the outline and characters in my head, then I went back to the book and really enjoyed it. It's definitely a fave now.

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I'd like to see that TV series again. I didn't like Rufus Sewell as Ladislaw but that's OK because George Eliot makes it clear he's not really worthy of Dorothea.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

I had an appallingly decrepit copy of Mariana, which discouraged re=reads - until last year, when I found a less aged and more solid paperback. I had forgotten the excruciating debacle of the acting career - poor girl, it sounds so real - did she try acting before she went into the convent? If not, she must have known someone who did - it sounds much later than her own youth

[callmemadam.livejournal.com]

I think drama school was just something for debs to do for a while. Her experiences are certainly excruciating.

[ooxc.livejournal.com]

That sounds likely -- but I'd forgotten that Mariana was one - must get it out again
Also, I muddled the convent thing - that was Monica Baldwin.